Free school lunch, breakfast bill passes

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- A heated debate broke out in the House of Delegates Friday night over a bill to combat childhood hunger in West Virginia.

Some Republican lawmakers said the free-meals-in-schools program would send a bad message to kids about personal responsibility, while Democrats argued there's a moral imperative to feed hungry students.

Delegate Ray Canterbury, R-Greenbrier, predicted the program could set up children for failure, "destroying their work ethic" and "showing them there's an easy way." Canterbury suggested that students "work for their lunches" by mowing lawns and taking out trash at schools.

Delegate Meshea Poore, D-Kanawha, said Republicans were trying to mislead people about the bill.

"I'm offended anybody in this body would dare say a child has to work for their meals," Poore said. "I can't believe someone would say a first-grader, a second-grader . . . a fifth-grader has to labor before they eat. This isn't an entitlement bill."

After an hour-long debate, House members passed the bill (SB633) by an 89-9 vote. The House made minor changes to the Senate bill, which senators unanimously approved March 30. The Senate is expected to agree to the changes, and Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin has said he will sign the legislation.

The bill would make free breakfasts and lunches available to every student in public schools, pre-kindergarten through the 12th-grade. West Virginia would become the first state in the nation to enact such a program.

"It's looking at how to feed the children in a healthy way, as well as increasing their activity," said House Education Committee Chairwoman Mary Poling, D-Barbour.

The bill would establish nonprofit foundations that would raise money to help pay for the free meals. Now, only low-income children get free and discounted lunches and breakfasts at school.

Across the state, many low-income children aren't taking advantage of the free-meal programs. About 55 percent of children qualify for free- and reduced-price school meals, but only one out of every three students eats breakfast at school in West Virginia.

The program would take effect in fall 2015, starting in elementary schools and expanding into middle and high schools as additional funds become available.

House Republicans said the Legislature should work to create good-paying jobs to help low-income West Virginians, not just set up programs to treat poverty's symptoms.

"There's already a safety net on the government level: It's called free and reduced lunch," Folk said. "It's not whether we think we should feed children; it's about whether we think the government should be the sole provider of food."

House Democrats countered that schools already provide students with free textbooks and bus rides to school.

"Hey, we send [people] to jail, we feed them," said Delegate David Walker, D-Clay. "We send [soldiers] to die for us, and we feed them. Now, we ask them to go to school and go hungry? Give me a break."

Also Friday, House members:

• Agreed to the Senate's changes to a bill (HB2979) designed to bring Internet service to rural communities in West Virginia. The bill requires the state to follow Internet download-speed standards set by the Federal Communications Commission -- now at 4 megabits per second. The legislation also requires the West Virginia Broadband Deployment Council to give priority to projects that bring Internet service to households for the first time -- before funding projects to increase download speeds at homes that already have broadband service.

• Approved a bill (SB194) that no longer allows the Department of Health and Human Resources to bypass Purchasing Division rules when awarding contracts for Medicaid-related projects. The West Virginia Legislative Auditor recommended the change after releasing a report last year that found the DHHR had a "lack of procurement expertise." The Senate already has passed the bill, and Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin is expected to sign it.

• Voted 66-33 to approve a bill (SB437) that aims to crack down on "puppy mills." The bill limits the number of breeding dogs such facilities may house. Commercial breeders also would have to obtain licenses and pay fees.

Their facilities would be inspected twice a year. Breeders could sell dogs only as household pets.

The bill, which passed the Senate earlier this month, sparked a lengthy debate on the House floor Friday afternoon.

The bill's opponents said the legislation would unfairly penalize reputable dog breeders and drive up kennel operating costs.

Supporters said the bill would ensure that dogs are raised and treated humanely. More than 30 states have similar laws.

"The purpose is go after the large commercial breeders, the puppy mills," said Delegate Isaac Sponaugle, D-Pendleton. "It's the responsible thing to do."

• Passed a bill that bars minors from going to tanning salons unless they have a parent's permission. Tanning salons also must register with local health departments.

Under the bill (SB464), minors 14 and younger would not be allowed to go to tanning salons, while those 15 to 18 years of age would need parental consent. Tanning salons that violate the law would face penalties of $100 to $1,000.